Family

My children have something very special. Something few children have
these days. Each has two siblings very close to them in age with whom
they spend 99% of every waking hour.  They have two built in BFFs...
not just this year in school, or for most of their childhood, but, God
willing, for the next 80+ years. Yes, sometimes it is hard having three
young children with only 29 months difference in age from eldest to
youngest. Yes, it would be easier to send them all away to preschool
rather then to keep them with me (but I don't believe for a minute that
that would be in their best interest). And yes, they do fight and tease
each other, but far more often they love each other deeply, watch out
for each other, and play together well. Yes, they really do have
something wonderful and special, and I am so blessed to be their mother!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We just got back from a week at the farm visiting Mimmi. The kids had a wonderful time.

Plenty of water play...

Lots of swinging...

Plenty of playing with Taffy, the dog...

Lots of popsicles gave their lives....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some people took mud bathes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was lots of running free in open spaces...

And Katie got lots of wagon rides...

There was playing at a couple of parks...

There was bike and trike riding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuteness abounded...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a zoo trip with giraffe feeding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and train riding and playing on the toy train...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and goat petting and brushing...

and water pumping...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and play exploring....

and carousel riding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and some people came out of their shell!

There were other adventures as well, like an airshow and a festival
with carnival rides plus 4th of July fireworks. Might have been too
much fun actually. :)

Well, fall is almost over... at least the actual falling part! We have been blessed with some really beautiful weather so I've been busy trying to clear the yard of leaves.  For some reason every time I rake up a pile of leaves it just sort of falls apart. What do you think is happening? :)

 

In October, we made a week long trip up to the farm to see Mimi and Grandma Katie. The kids had fun even though it was COLD! They played with the dog and rode bikes. Mimi got out some of my old toys for the kids to play with. Miriam has beeb introduced to the original Strawberry Shortcake!

 

So we finally got around to doing a family picture a few weeks ago. It was taken by a great friend. She does a great job, even when just quickly snapping a few pictures like she did form us! If you're local, check her out. 

 

We had Miriam and Evan's birthday party on June 20th. They had a really good time!  Aunt Kristin and Uncle Dave were in town and got to be here. The kids were so excited by that! They got some cool presents including 3 large floor puzzles that get put together almost everyday. Evan's cake was "Old McDonald's Farm" and Miriam had an ice cream cone theme. Here are some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

While in IN we went to two different zoos. The kids loved both. Evan's favorite thing was the water hands down (see the picture evidence) He also liked the farm/ petting zoo area at both places. Little man is really into farms these days. If you ask him about it, he will tell you that "I be a farmer! Ride tractor! Ride horse!" He can spot cattle and horses a mile off and will exclaim about them every time!
Miriam just liked the animals in general. Especially the chicken.
Katie liked the carousel a lot. The picture dosn't show it because the ride hadn't started yet. Once it did, her little mouth was open the whole time. She even waved to people! LOL

We spent last week up in Indiana on the family farm where I grew up (hence no internet!) The kids had a great time. Lots of outside play. Up WAY to late. Eat way too much ice cream. Two trips to zoos (two different ones) involving lots of water.  Spent lots of time with Mimmi (hence the ice cream!) Got to ride on the lawn tractor with Mimmi. Got to see Aunt Kristin, Uncle Dave, and Grandma W one day as well. Fun trip!

Here are some pictures from the farm. I'll postzoo pictures tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was the start of our family. The day that Brian and I were married. On one hand it seems like such a short time, for Time has certainly not dragged her heals, yet on the other hand I can't really remember life before being married and being a mother. Funny how that is.  And, yes, I would very happily marry Brian again. :)

I have a funny story from Mother's day (yes, I know. I'm running behind!). On Mother's day the whole family drove to Atlanta to see Grandpa George who was here briefly for a visit.  We were all thrilled to see him even though it was only a day.
For lunch we went in to a chicken place to get some chicken for a picnic lunch since we were trying to avoid the crowds. It worked because we were the only family there when we walked in. The manager and one of the other workers were talking at the front counter and greeted us as we walked up. After the a moment the manager looked at me holding Katie with Miriam and Evan at my side and the following conversation ensued.

Manager: "Happy Mother's Day!"
Me: "Thank you"
Manager: "I always wanted three, but after one I could never push another one out!"
Me: laugh "Well, it's not like I had to push them out."
Manager: "Oh, did they cut them out?"
Me: "Uh.... no."
Manager: confused look
Me: "They were all adopted."
Manager: "Oh."

Either she didn't notice that I am mother to a Black child, a Hispanic child, and an Asian child (in which case I commend her) or she thought I'm one "busy" woman!! LOL